BeachFungus

Symptoms and Causes of Beach Fungus

Beach fungus (Malassezia furfur) has nothing to do with the beach. The fungal infection is harmless but can change the pigmentation of the skin as a result of an overgrowth of the fungus. Its more commonly referred to as beach fungus as people notice it as outer layers come off and we expose our skin to the warmer weather and go to the beach. In fair skinned people the condition is often seen in summer months because the patches, which do not tan, become more obvious.

Beach fungus sits on the upper body, arms, and neck and is uncommon on other parts of the body, and is more common in young people. Beach Fungus isn’t usually irritating or uncomfortable but can look unpleasant.

Common symptoms of Beach Fungus:

Multiple patches on the skin, that may appear in different colours such as white, salmon, or sometimes darker than the surrounding skin

The patches may also have a reddish undertone that can darken when exposed to heat, which makes them more obvious if you have fair skin

In some cases, the patches may feel slightly itchy

In fair skinned people the condition is often diagnosed in summer months because the patches, which do not tan, become more obvious against tanned skin.